HOW TO EDIT A FIRST DRAFT ✏️ developmental editing tips from an editor

Рет қаралды 37,784

4 жыл бұрын

Writing a book is hard, but it's only the beginning. Now it's time to edit your book, and editing a book can feel like a daunting task, especially when you're a new writer. Today I'm sharing a ten-step process to editing your first draft. If you need a bit of help with outlining and plotting, I highly recommend you pick up a copy of Save the Cat, which I have linked below.
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Пікірлер: 132

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

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@iamtheecho 2 ай бұрын

Every 5 chapters I do a mini book report to keep track of character motivations, theme consistency, what’s been set up what’s been paid off and how well the emotional journey tracks. Make sure no one’s wallowing for too long or bounces back to quickly and that the plot isn’t rushing or dragging. By the end I have 4 - 6 reports I can look over which helps zero in on problem areas or at least what I thought were problem areas at the time of writing.

@dorysmith2776 Күн бұрын

Four years late, it this is the most useful idea I’ve seen. I took notes! Thank you for sharing this.

@janemcmurray1520 2 жыл бұрын

I wish I could send you a picture. I now have 575 sticky notes on my wall. I am astounded that I have accumulated this many little stories for my SMILES book. I am slightly overwhelmed at the accumulation of content and my publishing goal. The sticky notes on the wall provide a great chance to “see” the content organization. Your utube was very helpful even though my book is not a novel.

@missdameenor 4 жыл бұрын

I summarize scenes instead. It helps me to figure out if it belongs in that chapter or not.

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

That's a great approach! I enjoy the chapter-level summaries because I'm able to see a brief snapshot of the entire book. The scene-by-scene outlines seem to help me more when I'm on the second or third round of edits.

@dalemills2906 2 ай бұрын

Just recently learned I’m in a zero draft and I’m relieved. Because it really is

@kmg365a 4 жыл бұрын

Natalia, I have to tell you that this video has given me so much to think about. You see I'm a pantser and when someone says outline, I know that this just won't work for me. I've tried to, believe me, and all I manage to accomplish is not writing my book. So I generally just go back to being a pantser. No one has ever said just write your first draft and then go back and do an outline summary of every chapter you wrote for developmental editing. This is such a brilliant tip and one that I am definitely going to try. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will definitely be sharing this video with all of my fellow social media writers. Congratulations on your 11K subscribers. I like the direction of writing tips that your channel has moved to. I think this will definitely grow your channel faster because most writers are looking for something like this. Thanks again.

@whosaidthat84 3 жыл бұрын

I used to always tell people that an outline was necessary but the deeper in the community I've gotten, I've met more and more pantsers. Anyone who says an outline is necessary is just ignorant. I work with a loose outline, but a detailed outline just doesn't work for me.

@marilynr.6234 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome I’m actually in the leave alone phase

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

I might argue that it's the most difficult phase ;) I always want to just jump right back into my story, lol

@user-db6ps1cf2g Ай бұрын

The Concrete Confessional addiction project just released a two-part essay on JK's achievements and controversies. It's written in a hilarious style (by a medical student who is in recovery himself) and is by far the best overview of the ups and downs that I've come across. Highly recommend

@haileyhurley9173 2 жыл бұрын

I start outlining by summarizing every chapter. I like the idea of doing it during the editing stage as well, because things tend to change quite a bit when you start writing lol

@monicaparks723 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. I actually did buy the book Save the Cat! and I love it! You're right, it has been very helpful. I consider myself a planser, ( I do like some outlining, but I especially like to discover my characters and their story).

@ShubhaJaggi 2 жыл бұрын

When everyone is overhyping going paperless, it's cool to hear your advice about mock copy. (I'm all for saving trees, but there are options like recycled paper, to avoid living online/only being at kindle at the mercy of google surveilence). That's the most fresh tip, alongside so many other... it's great to have the perspective of someone who is an author plus an editor

@oddeyes9413 3 жыл бұрын

Getting a proof copy of the original draft is an awesome idea. I usually print mine out and put it in a binder. I let it sit for a few days then sit down to read it and write what needs to be fixed in the margins. But a mock-copy is a really cool idea. Might try this method for the book I'm currently working on.

@chukaudedibia5505 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so very much for this video.

@aprofessionaldaydreamer7825 4 жыл бұрын

Just printed my zero draft a few minuts ago... If that's not perfect timing, I don't know what it is. [loa in action]

@starosity 4 жыл бұрын

I used LOA for this video too!!

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Yes, LoA! I wish you the best of luck reading through your draft :)

@aprofessionaldaydreamer7825 4 жыл бұрын

@@NataliaLeigh thank you !

@hantor4 Жыл бұрын

@@NataliaLeigh what is Loa please ? Am an Egyptian .

@10feralratsinacoat76 4 жыл бұрын

Exactly what I needed :) videos great

@writethepath8354 2 жыл бұрын

This helped me realize something about my protagonist and antagonist. I already knew what my protagonist wanted was not actually a good thing for him, which is why he doesn't get it at the end. But the realization is the antagonist/villain actually wants the same thing, for the protagonist. And that's part why he's the antagonist. Thank you.

@Mike-ny6sf 6 ай бұрын

Ha! I've given my first novel twelve years to sit! Thanks to your videos, I'm doing major cleanup.

@thomasswritingjourney 4 жыл бұрын

I found this video super helpful. Right now I'm outlining my book chapter by chapter with beat points included.

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Thomas, I'm glad you enjoyed it! The chapter-by-chapter summary is SO helpful to me. I hope it works for you as well!

@Grierhax 4 жыл бұрын

The best vlog on editing I have found. Thank you.

@DeeBlaregold 4 жыл бұрын

Yippee! Thank you for some great tips! I will be using a lot of them.

@dilarae.c.6267 2 жыл бұрын

thank you 🙏 the way you explained it brings clearity into the process

@mrsiz218 4 жыл бұрын

Girl!! Your timing!! What?! I have Save the Cat on Kindle AND Audible! Broke it out yesterday to lay out the next two stories in my series and I wish I discovered it sooner! Im such a pantser but i see the value in plotting. Yeah, game changer! Thanks Natalia!

@zacharymundwiller2503 Жыл бұрын

I'm just starting in developmental editing, and this was really helpful to get me started! Thanks Natalia.

@goodcleanfun.with.aubrierose 3 жыл бұрын

So helpful! Thank you! I’m so excited to get to work!

@joanmariezimmer6638 4 ай бұрын

Thank you. I have watched this video several times and found new ideas and inspiration for editing. ❤

@LarrySchardt 3 жыл бұрын

Wow Natalia! Thank you very much. Phenomenal video and tips. I'm in the process of doing my developmental edits. Perfect timing and perfect descriptions. Thank you again. Peace, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll!!!

@Delenter 4 жыл бұрын

This, Is, Wonderful! Thank you for making this video! I'm positive it will help many, including me., with writing their stories.

@donnamunt9442 4 жыл бұрын

Your video couldn't have come at a better time for me. I've never done a second draft of a novel before my current WIP, and when I started working on it in January I quickly realised I had no idea what I was supposed to be doing. Turns out I've done a couple of these things already, so I was kind of on the right track, but now I have a real plan. Can't thank you enough :)

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Donna! I'm happy to hear you found this video helpful. It's easy to get lost in developmental edits, but I find that having a plan REALLY helps keep me focused and on track. Happy editing!

@zprospero4983 9 ай бұрын

This was extraordinarily helpful. Thank you!

@caelacollins4915 3 жыл бұрын

This is what I needed so much. I was so lost, thank you. Extremely helpful!!

@jennamorganbooks 4 жыл бұрын

This is the best video on tackling a first draft that I’ve found so far! I just finished a first draft yesterday and am currently riding the high of finishing, but I’m also freaking OUT about what I should do first. I’ll be watching this on repeat to help me work out my revision process haha. Thanks!!

@latishaaustin3740 4 жыл бұрын

Your videos are always very helpful. While I have heard a lot of this before, exposure to the same things are what helps to get them ingrained. Pushing forward, I’ll need to keep all these tips in mind because they are the great fundamentals. Thanks for the video! P.S. almost done with Song of the Dryad. Your writing style is excellent. Can’t wait to leave my review.

@stormyhazarika8545 Жыл бұрын

This is so astoundingly helpful! Thanks a bunch

@susanbuckminster282 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@Bennythesupersnooper 9 ай бұрын

What I have been doing is asking Chat gpt to summerize every chapter. I found a few double ups this way 😅

@lilcrazy1186 10 ай бұрын

Amazing video! Thank you!

@elizabethrobinson5620 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much this is some great advice! I'm so excited to get to this point. You are awesome!

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Elizabeth! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

@pinkypromisevintage 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this!!!! I have my novel draft printed and am about to go through it and make notes. Perfect timing!!!!!

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome Sarah! I'm glad this came at a good time, and have fun reading your draft! It's one of my favorite parts of the process, red pen and all :)

@Zaris1021 3 жыл бұрын

I was intimidated by this whole process of editing but the way u do it makes so much sense. And I can already see myself implementing what you've taught me with great ease. Here, take my sub

@NataliaLeigh 3 жыл бұрын

Glad I could help! Happy writing!

@Medietos Жыл бұрын

Thank you for a good, generousvideo talk! Good luck.

@emielou 4 жыл бұрын

This video was timed so perfectly. I'm going through 1st draft edits but getting so confused because I'm trying to do all editing chapter by chapter and it's just overwhelming. I decided to stop and read through and going over the story first as I know there are changes I want to make in places. These tips are brilliant. Thank you. Hopefully by the time I'm ready send you my manuscript it will be in a much better place lol

@srinivasansridhar5255 6 ай бұрын

Very interesting and valuable advice. Immense thanks. I treat each chapter as it were a story with beginning, end.and a goal to reach, moreover an ending to lead the story forwards (maybe a cliff-hanger). Likewise, a dialog has to fight for its presence in my novel. Your advice gave me more food for thought and I THANK YOU. By the way, I was delighted to read (almost) on your arm the word Ahimsa.

@harulestokeswrites2284 4 жыл бұрын

Not editing on my computer is great advice for me. Thanks!

@curiosityandthekat Жыл бұрын

I'm starting to edit my first draft and have been feeling lost, and this was so helpful. Thank you!

@monkeydavefraud Жыл бұрын

Did you edit the whole thing after writing it first or did you stop ch by ch and do it?

@Storyofherlyfe 3 ай бұрын

Thank you love ☺️🙏🏽

@NicholasWFuller Жыл бұрын

Thank you SO MUCH for this. There's so many resources out there for writing/drafting but I feel like there's a LOT less for editing! I recently completed a draft of a novel and felt so stuck when in came to edit. This video has been great! You had some really helpful tips. Thank you!

@NataliaLeigh Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Nicholas! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. ☺

@rmeloveslife9522 3 жыл бұрын

I took your recommendation and purchased a copy of Save The Cat! Writes a Novel. BEST ADVICE EVER!! Thank you so much! All of this helps me, a novist writer, write my first draft!

@NataliaLeigh 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad you found STC helpful! Happy writing!

@jessicadorcey7541 4 жыл бұрын

Lord I'm editing my first ever novel that I wrote during my first nanowrimo (WINNER 2019) and Lordt. I needed this video. My book is so bad😂😂😂😂 for now ❤️ #WhatAmIDoing

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Congrats on winning NaNo last year! That's amazing! And I hope you found this video helpful. The first round of edits (I think) are the most difficult, but you can push through!

@Medietos Жыл бұрын

Jessica Dorcey: What, did you win an award for a first draft...?

@jessicadorcey7541 Жыл бұрын

@Medietos oh no no no nanorimo is national novel writing month and you are considered a “winner” if you write a certain amount of words everyday for the month of November!

@elliotrogers3057 2 жыл бұрын

This is really helpful, I feel like I have some direction to my monstrosity of a first draft now!

@samwilbur6155 3 ай бұрын

Great advice! Reassuring to know I've done the first two steps correctly 😂, i just sat down last night to begin my read through of my freshly printed 150,000 word first draft. This will be a fun and interesting journey 🎉

@Teckno72 2 жыл бұрын

Good stuff! Thanks!

@reneebarrette4514 4 жыл бұрын

I LOVE your videos!!

@melanieannplans2666 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy you featured this topic in a video! And that you'd mentioned beta readers. I wasn't sure exactly when to bring them in, but it seems like it's fairly early on in the process for anyone who's planning on getting published. What I'm currently doing for the first book in my "Knights of the Wraithmaker" series is zero drafting one act at a time, going back to revise, then edit, THEN move on to outlining and zero drafting act two. It's been so much easier and far less overwhelming to break the first story down in this way and seeing how the scenes build up piece by piece. And yes, I've been using Save the Cat! for this new series and it's amazing!

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Melanie! That's an interesting method of editing! Like I mentioned in the video, every writer does things a bit differently. I need to write the entire book first and then edit it as a whole, but others like to edit in smaller chunks, and that works too!

@stormyhazarika8545 Жыл бұрын

You talk such sense!!!! Goodness😯 Why did I just find this ?????

@alinal5505 4 жыл бұрын

This was really helpful

@tracy238 4 жыл бұрын

This was extremely helpful

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Happy to hear it Tracy :)

@LeighMilneMagic Жыл бұрын

Great video!!

@BrianWelch-kj9qs 2 ай бұрын

The Concrete Confessional addiction blog just dropped an article on the ethics / controversy / value of Mark's Soft White Underbelly project... Def worth checking out!

@jacquelineheronwray6782 2 жыл бұрын

Just ordered Save The Cat Writes a Novel.

@phyllisjemmott1232 4 ай бұрын

Excellent

@duchessmaleficent2811 4 жыл бұрын

Killer advice!!! Love it 😊

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Happy to hear it Heather!

@myrkflinn4331 Жыл бұрын

I just go through it with someone else while she has a printed version and I work on the computer near her as i read the story out loud. For both written errors and if it sounds off or too much. Helped alot

@lilianm6880 2 жыл бұрын

As I came here to get tips on working on my Harry Potter fanfic all the Harry Potter and Voldemort examples were really flooring me in a very funny and sometimes slightly jarring way :D

@Writing4Jesus247 3 жыл бұрын

I also read my book out loud and act out every scene from each character's perspective. Helps the dialogue become more natural 🙃🙂

@camaa_pearl 4 жыл бұрын

Printing out my work and using colored pens to destroy it is one of the best feeling while editing it but when transferring it, whooooshhh

@KatyKarl Ай бұрын

Highly recommend that anyone watching SWU content read the Concrete Confessional addiction blog's article on the ethical issues / controversies of Mark Laita and SWU. People with backgrounds in medicine, law, and social work are starting to call him out on the dangers of what he's doing to vulnerable people, and Mark's defense of "I'm not going to listen to anything from anyone who does less than me" is starting to sound pretty unreasonable.

@TheSteamponkwordsmith 2 жыл бұрын

Cool

@Samanthaskeepsakes 4 жыл бұрын

could you put out a vid on editorial meanings such as what is antagonist and protagonist ect

@oddeyes9413 3 жыл бұрын

10 chapters shy of finishing the first draft. I'm gonna print it like you said and begin working after my beta/sensitivity reader gets back to me.

@jacquelineheronwray6782 2 жыл бұрын

How do I upload work onto my kindle? I am working my way through your video Natalia; you are a godsend. Thank you so much.

@s.l.wymansrockinwriting6633 4 жыл бұрын

Speaking of huge, monstrosity of a novel.....*eyes her 600 page + book baby*

@QueenofMann 3 жыл бұрын

Could you do a video on how to prepare a manuscript for submission to a copy line editor?

@duchessmaleficent2811 4 жыл бұрын

I used to be a pantser but I’ve found that outlines are much more fluid when it comes to writing it out.

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

I agree. It seems many writers start off as pantsers and then slowly discover which method works best for them. Yeeeears ago I used to try to pants novels, but I never finished a single one!

@keerthipavuluri2732 3 жыл бұрын

I exactly got wt I was searching for,thank you so much ma'am ❤️, may I know shall we stop editing after we are done with editing with a professional editor?

@DMRoper1 3 жыл бұрын

I must be the only person left on the plant who has never read a Harry Potter book seen any of the movies or been to the theme park, or ever wish to do any of that.

@havvaalexander9520 3 ай бұрын

Nope. I haven’t either. I had the books but eventually gave them to a thrift store.

@Christin-1600 4 жыл бұрын

Where do you get a profcopy from? It looks so neat

@MiscellaneousMcC 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video! I am looking for the beta readers video that you referenced, but I cannot seem to find it on your channel. Can you direct me to it? 😁

@bobbiebrownn 5 ай бұрын

Thank you I hand wrote my 1st novel and now I’m typing it all up omg why didn’t I just type it 😫

@newtoatheism5968 4 жыл бұрын

I know there’s a lot of developmental edits I need to do so I might end up rewriting almost the whole book

@mossonthenorthside 4 жыл бұрын

This was super helpful! How long does your first round of developmental edits usually take you once you start going (after the break)?

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you enjoyed it! And it depends on the length of the story. Pistol Daisy developmental edits usually take about a month, but edits for Song of the Dryad took me 3-6 months, if I'm remembering correctly.

@mossonthenorthside 4 жыл бұрын

@@NataliaLeigh Good to know! Thank you for all the help and educational content you provide! Looking forward to ur beta videos cause that my next step!

@fridaysailing6739 3 жыл бұрын

Hey, where do you print your book and how much is it? I'd love to print a copy of mine if it's possible to just print one copy.

@meganmcmillan5493 4 жыл бұрын

I'll probably put my first draft on an e-reader because I have a limited budget right now so printing books is near impossible.

@tracyjones1102 3 жыл бұрын

Having finished my first novel last year I was very naive and took a friends 'advice' in editing it myself and after only 2 dafts I queried as many agencies as I could find (over 30). Not surprisingly I received as many rejections as I sent queries. Since then I have done a third and fourth draft and then had my novel professionally edited. I have learned how to write a much better synopsis and query letter. Is it worth resubmitting to some of those that originally rejected me stating that I have had the book heavily edited and that I am rebsubmitting?

@newtoatheism5968 4 жыл бұрын

How do you get proof copy?

@booksbutterflies6595 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Would you use save the cat as you are planning your novel before one word is written or wait till editing first draft? Xx

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

Great question! I do both. I plot the book before I write a single word, and then plot it AGAIN after I've written the first draft. My novels always change between the first and second drafts, and that's because I reoutline to make sure I'm on the right track.

@booksbutterflies6595 4 жыл бұрын

Natalia Leigh thank you

@alishalegrand6139 4 жыл бұрын

Not in less you go backwards for me I write my book by hand so I would be editing it on a computer

@hkwon1014 8 ай бұрын

This might be a silly question, but would you recommend printing out your first draft even if it’s a TRASHHHH draft? Lol I feel like I should do an edit of making it less bad before seeing it on paper, but would love to hear what you think!

@omegaminoseer4539 7 ай бұрын

The lower the quality, the more you can hone your craft! If it's full of abysmal errors, you can identify what makes them bad, as well as looking at the intent behind them. I'm writing a short story for publication on my KZfaq channel and I'm missing dialogue and there is no scene-to-scene transitions. However, I know that when I tear into it, I will have a truly incredible final product.

@arun_kumar0 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Natalia... do we really need a publisher to print a novel? Can we self print a novel from home(if I can handle the marketing and outsource for cover design and proofreading) and sell the paperback (with ISBN) on Amazon and on offline bookstores? What are the pros and cons of doing that(self printing and selling it)? Can I sell those novels legally?

@ashleyzakrzewski577 4 жыл бұрын

Arun Kumar she did a vide over self publishing

@arun_kumar0 4 жыл бұрын

@@ashleyzakrzewski577 Thanks... can you please share the link? :)

@newtoatheism5968 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve always got stuck editing cause I always thought editing was just changing the whole story

@newtoatheism5968 4 жыл бұрын

Well I usually write in a journal so

@MsSimonsunburst 4 жыл бұрын

How do you get a printed version? I last published in 2013 and back then you couldn't do that

@NataliaLeigh 4 жыл бұрын

I order proof copies via KDP. You can also get copies via Barnes and Noble and other presses as well.

@mdaniels6311 Жыл бұрын

This is really useful, but I don't see the value of reading through it and not fixing obvious errors if you come across them. This just means wasted time, and becoming too absorbed into the reading again so you cannot view the work objectively. I like to just dip into random scenes, and read them afresh, and fix the mistakes... but hey, I'm not published, so what do I know!

@Barklord 2 ай бұрын

I suppose it depends on whether the changes you're making will be in a scene that makes the final cut. If you keep changing little errors before you've read all of it, you may waste time on something that will be left in a trash folder.

@newtoatheism5968 3 жыл бұрын

How do u get a proof copy if you’ve hand wrote it?

@mergesviz 3 жыл бұрын

You’d need to transfer it to a digital file, so, rewrite it onto a computer. Then you can print it out on to computer paper, or do some research and have a company print it for you in a “book format”. Again, I’m no expert (obviously), but I think she has other videos that go more in-depth into this process.

@VinnyTheory 3 ай бұрын

If both Harry Potter & Percy Jackson weren’t written by pansers, then clearly it’s not good to be one. Structure is everything. It blows my mind that some people just write one big mess and try to fix it later